A Powerful Pōwhiri in Pictures

I need pictures to say the thousand words I wish I could use to describe the incredible week I’ve just experienced.

During my time in New Zealand, (click here for a recent article on my Fulbright research and the subsequent exchange) working with indigenousMāori people allowed me the opportunity to witness first hand the profoundly positive impact that placing culture and heritage first in education has on eliminating the racial predictability of student academic achievement. I came back from my Fulbright experience a changed human. The trip inspired me to find my roots and ancestry through embracing the land, sea, and where I come from. Although my students couldn’t go to New Zealand this year, this exchange to Oak Park allowed my students to witness a new culture and ignite curiosities that will inspire them explore to US and the world in the future.

Through a serendipitous encounter in Rotorua, New Zealand (blog post to come), I had the great privilege to collaborate with Raewyn Tipene, the amazing CEO of the Te Kāpehu Whetū school in Whangarei, New Zealand, and together we worked on a cultural exchange between our two schools. It was meant to be, as the world renowned Field Museum has one of three marae, or Māori meeting houses, outside of New Zealand. The marae comes from the iwi (tribe) in Tokomaru Bay, and some of the students from the New Zealand school have ancestors from there.

In order to welcome them appropriately, we completed a pōwhiri , or a traditional welcome ceremony. And I can’t explain how much it touched me to bring 80 students and have them feel how I felt a year ago this week when I went through my own first pōwhiri . Because I can’t even attempt to adequately explain it, I’m using these pictures (best ones are towards the end!), taken by the amazing Fredy Peralta through APJ Photography. I hope they can speak the words I cannot write. Enjoy!

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe OPRF choir responds with a waiata, or song

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyJoe Podlasek, LCO-Ojibwe/Polish, speaks his welcome words on behalf of the First People of the United States, and explains the importance of the Eagle staff he presents.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe First People respond with drums and a beautiful jingle dancer.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe drums and song

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyJingle dancing

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyOur OPRF superintendent Steven Isoye and one of my senior students give a welcome speech on behalf of Oak Park and River Forest High School.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyAll of my students sing a song in te reo Māori, “Te Aroha”

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyA student from Te Kāpehu Whetū speaks.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyTe Kāpehu Whetū sing their first waiata.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe amazing Ralph speaks.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyAnother waita from the kura, or school.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyMarianne Craven, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, flew in from D.C. to represent the US State Department, and broke the way for the women to speak. She spoke about the importance of global exchanges and building cross-cultural community.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyMs. Craven also spoke some of the nicest words about my Fulbright research in her speech, and for those words I am so grateful. This experience is in many ways what a Fulbright is all about.

Photo credit: APJ Photography…which was presented to Ms. Craven from the State Department.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyAnd then this All Blacks balloon to me (a stand in for a later koha)

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe kura gives a haka, or a traditional war chant that can express deep gratitude.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe haka

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe manuhiri, or guests, are invited to cross over and do hongi, or the pressing of noses.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe hongi

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe OPRF school board president

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThe CEO of Te Kāpehu Whetū with the Superintendent of Oak Park and River Forest High School hongi.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyAll 80 of my students got to go through this special part of the ceremony. The energy in the room was inspiring and beautiful as young people from 8,000 miles come together to share breaths.

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyOne of my senior students and Ralph

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyThere was so much aroha, or love, in the room.

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyMembers from the Māori community who live in Chicago were also invited to this ceremony.

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyAfter the hongi, kisses, and hugs, we all remove our shoes and enter the marae for karakia, or incantations or prayers for spiritual guidance.

Photo credit: APJ Photography

Photo credit: APJ PhotographyPaying respects to the ancestors who are represented in the carvings.